I have a Fender Stratocaster with a floating bridge. Since I don't use my vibrato bar very often and like to rest my hand on the bridge, I would like to make the bridge flush against the body of the guitar.

How do I go about doing this, and what are the implications of doing it? Will I need to do a complete setup on my guitar after I remove the floating bridge? I'm particularly concerned that a truss rod adjustment might be necessary. Will it be?

I have a Fender Stratocaster with a floating bridge. Since I don't use my vibrato bar very often and like to rest my hand on the bridge, I would like to make the bridge flush against the body of the guitar.

How do I go about doing this, and what are the implications of doing it? Will I need to do a complete setup on my guitar after I remove the floating bridge? I'm particularly concerned that a truss rod adjustment might be necessary. Will it be?

Thanks for any help in advance!

You don't have to adjust the truss rod. Just the action at the bridge saddles.

just tighten the springs in the tremolo cavity down until the bridge is against the body and won't move or or down when a string is bent. You may need to add an extra spring or 2 to get the tension right depending on the string gauge used or if the springs are worn out. it's as simple as that, it takes like 3 minutes to get everything right.

The biggest pain in the ass is raising the action if you need to since the bridge is now lower to the body than when it was floating.

if you never use the bar, just deck the bridge and cut a small piece of wood to stuff between the sustain block and the body, like this

Or you could just get a tremolo-no and have a tech install it for you. That's really the way to go. I'm personal friends with the guy who invented them, and I can assure you they are top-notch. Worth every penny!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by strat0blaster

This is terrible advice. Even worse than the useless dry, sarcastic comment I made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cathbard

I'm too old for the Jim Morrison look now. When I was gigging I had a fine arse.

If you never use your whammy bar,blocking the bridge is one the best,easiest,and cheapest (usually free) upgrades you can do to a strat.It is just as easy to undo if you decide to.You will have better tuning stability,tone,and sustain.Just make sure that you use a piece of hardwood for the block.If you can match the type the body is made of that is ideal.Otherwise get a piece of maple 1x2 from a hardware store.NO GLUE.